Apparatus and method of making a secure call

Abstract

A system of operating a wireless handset capable of making clear and secure calls is claimed. A secure call may be made by pressing a key for a predetermined amount of time. The handset enters a secure mode if the key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time. The handset enters a clear mode if the key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time.

1. In a system of operating a wireless handset capable of clear calls and secure calls, a method comprising:
 entering a personal identification number (PIN) each time the wireless handset is activated to register as a secure user to allow a secure call; 
 pressing a send/talk key for a predetermined amount of time; 
 determining whether the handset is in a traditional mode, in an autosecure mode, or in a secure-only mode; 
 if the handset is currently in the traditional mode, originating a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time, and originating a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time; 
 if the handset is currently in the autosecure mode, originating a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, sending a confirmation request to originate a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time, and originating a clear call if the confirmation request is confirmed; and 
 if the handset is currently in the secure mode, originating a secure call. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. 
     
     
       3. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising disabling the handset if the PIN number is incorrectly entered more than a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
       4. The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined number of times is 7. 
     
     
       5. The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined number of times is 3. 
     
     
       6. A wireless apparatus configurable to make clear calls and secure calls, the apparatus comprising:
 a user-interface having keys for entering a personal identification number (PIN) each time the wires handset is activated to register as a secure user to allow a secure call, and having a send/talk key capable of being depressed; and 
 a circuit configured to measure the amount of time the send/talk key is depressed, wherein the apparatus is configured to determine whether the wireless apparatus is in a traditional mode, in an autosecure mode, or in a secure-only mode, wherein: 
 if the handset is in the traditional mode, the wireless apparatus is configured to originate a secure call if the send/talk key is depressed for greater than a predetermined amount of time, and to originate a clear call if the user-interface key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, 
 if the handset is in the autosecure mode, the apparatus is configured to originate a secure call if the send/talk key is depressed for less than a predetermined amount of time, send a confirmation request to originate a clear call if the send/talk key is depressed for greater than a predetermined amount of time, and originate a clear call if the confirmation request is confirmed; and 
 if the handset is in the secure only mode, originating a secure call. 
 
     
     
       7. The wireless apparatus as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. 
     
     
       8. A wireless handset capable of clear calls and secure calls, comprising:
 means for entering a personal identification number (PIN) each time the wireless handset is activated to register as a secure user to allow a secure call; 
 means for pressing a send/talk key for a predetermined amount of time; 
 means for determining whether the handset is in a traditional mode, in an autosecure mode, or in a secure-only mode; 
 means for originating, if the handset is currently in the traditional mode, a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time and a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, 
 means for originating, if the handset is currently in the autosecure mode, a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, sending a confirmation request to originate a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time, and originating a clear call if the confirmation request is confirmed; and 
 mean for originating a secure call if the handset is currently in the secure mode. 
 
     
     
       9. The wireless handset as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. 
     
     
       10. The wireless handset as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising means for disabling the handset if the PIN number is incorrectly entered more than a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
       11. A computer program product, comprising:
 computer-readable medium having a stored computer program, comprising:
 instructions for causing a computer to receive a personal identification number (PIN) each time the wireless handset is activated to register as a secure user to allow a secure call; 
 instructions for causing a computer to determine if a send/talk key of a handset has been pressed for a predetermined amount of time, wherein the handset is capable of clear calls and secure calls; 
 instructions for causing a computer to determine whether the handset is in a traditional mode, in an autosecure mode, or in a secure-only mode; 
 instructions for causing a computer to originate, if the handset is currently in the traditional mode, a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time and a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, 
 instructions for causing a computer to originate, if the handset is currently in the autosecure mode, a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, sending a confirmation request to originate a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time, and originating a clear call if the confirmation request is confirmed; and 
 instructions for causing a computer to originate a secure call if the handset is currently in the secure mode. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The computer program product as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. 
     
     
       13. In a system of operating a wireless handset capable of clear calls and secure calls, a method comprising:
 entering a personal identification number (PIN) to register as a secure user to allow a secure call; 
 disabling the handset if the PIN number is incorrectly entered more than a predetermined number of times; 
 pressing a send/talk key for a predetermined amount of time; 
 determining whether the handset is in a traditional mode, in an autosecure mode, or in a secure-only mode; 
 if the handset is currently in the traditional mode, originating a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time, and originating a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time; 
 if the handset is currently in the autosecure mode, originating a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, sending a confirmation request to originate a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time, and originating a clear call if the confirmation request is confirmed; and 
 if the handset is currently in the secure mode, originating a secure call. 
 
     
     
       14. The method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. 
     
     
       15. The method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined number of times is 7. 
     
     
       16. The method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined number of times is 3. 
     
     
       17. A wireless apparatus configurable to make clear calls and secure calls, the apparatus comprising:
 a user-interface having:
 keys for entering a personal identification number (PIN) to register as a secure user to allow a secure call, wherein the handset is disabled if the PIN number is incorrectly entered more than a predetermined number of times, and 
 a send/talk key capable of being depressed; and 
 
 a circuit configured to measure the amount of time the send/talk key is depressed, wherein the apparatus is configured to determine whether the wireless apparatus is in a traditional mode, in an autosecure mode, or in a secure-only mode, wherein: 
 if the handset is in the traditional mode, the wireless apparatus is configured to originate a secure call if the send/talk key is depressed for greater than a predetermined amount of time, and to originate a clear call if the user-interface key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, 
 if the handset is in the autosecure mode, the apparatus is configured to originate a secure call if the send/talk key is depressed for less than a predetermined amount of time, send a confirmation request to originate a clear call if the send/talk key is depressed for greater than a predetermined amount of time, and originate a clear call if the confirmation request is confirmed; and 
 if the handset is in the secure only mode, originating a secure call. 
 
     
     
       18. The wireless apparatus as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. 
     
     
       19. The wireless apparatus as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the predetermined number of times is 7. 
     
     
       20. The wireless apparatus as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the predetermined number of times is 3. 
     
     
       21. A wireless handset capable of clear calls and secure calls, comprising:
 means for entering a personal identification number (PIN) to register as a secure user to allow a secure call; 
 means for disabling the handset if the PIN number is incorrectly entered more than a predetermined number of times; 
 means for pressing a send/talk key for a predetermined amount of time; 
 means for determining whether the handset is in a traditional mode, in an autosecure mode, or in a secure-only mode; 
 means for originating, if the handset is currently in the traditional mode, a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time and a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, 
 means for originating, if the handset is currently in the autosecure mode, a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, sending a confirmation request to originate a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time, and originating a clear call if the confirmation request is confirmed; and 
 mean for originating a secure call if the handset is currently in the secure mode. 
 
     
     
       22. The wireless handset as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. 
     
     
       23. The wireless handset as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the predetermined number of times is 7. 
     
     
       24. The wireless handset as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the predetermined number of times is 3. 
     
     
       25. A computer program product, comprising:
 computer-readable medium having a stored computer program, comprising:
 instructions for causing a computer to receive a personal identification number (PIN) each time the wireless handset is activated to register as a secure user to allow a secure call; 
 instructions for causing a computer to disable the handset if the PIN number is incorrectly entered more than a predetermined number of times; 
 instructions for causing a computer to determine if a send/talk key of a handset has been pressed for a predetermined amount of time, wherein the handset is capable of clear calls and secure calls; 
 instructions for causing a computer to determine whether the handset is in a traditional mode, in an autosecure mode, or in a secure-only mode; 
 instructions for causing a computer to originate, if the handset is currently in the traditional mode, a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time and a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, 
 instructions for causing a computer to originate, if the handset is currently in the autosecure mode, a secure call if the send/talk key is held for a time period less than the predetermined amount of time, sending a confirmation request to originate a clear call if the send/talk key is held for a time period greater than the predetermined amount of time, and originating a clear call if the confirmation request is confirmed; and 
 instructions for causing a computer to originate a secure call if the handset is currently in the secure mode. 
 
 
     
     
       26. The computer program product as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is two seconds. 
     
     
       27. The computer program product as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the predetermined number of times is 7. 
     
     
       28. The computer program product as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the predetermined number of times is 3.